Inside the Numbers: Indiana Hoosiers at Penn State Nittany Lions
/
Indiana invades Happy Valley on Saturday afternoon. Image: Sammy Jacobs HoosierHuddle.com
By David Sugarman (@David_Sugarman2)
Indiana heads back to Big Ten play this week and the grueling reality of the Big Ten East is rearing it’s ugly head once again. The Hoosiers are getting ready to take on the fourth ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. Indiana will need to build off the successes of the last two games and look for ways to slow down the duo of Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley. When asked about them Tom Allen put it bluntly, “There’s not a quarterback/tailback duo in the country that’s playing any better.” Let’s take a look at the numbers that matter in this week’s Inside the Numbers.
100 - Now granted the competition has been a step down since Ohio State, but Indiana is now 2-0 when they run over 100 yards this season and 0-1 otherwise. Penn State has the fifth best rush defense in the Big Ten, surrendering just three yards per carry through their first four games. IU likely won’t be able to run all over Penn State the way they did Georgia Southern, but it remains important that the Hoosiers show a commitment to the run game. It will continue to provide balance for an offense that is still finding their footing.
12 - Penn State’s defensive line has racked up 12 sacks in their first four games and get them from a number of different places. 13 different players have at least half a sack and Shareef Miller leads the team with two. On the other side, Indiana has surrendered nine sacks, three per game. It was known that Indiana’s offensive line was a question mark coming into the season and that’s held true up to this point. Indiana will need to do a better job of protecting Richard Lagow and Peyton Ramsey if they want to put up enough points to pull off the upset.
358 - One of the bigger numbers we’ve ever used, 358 is the total all-purpose yards Penn State running back Saquon Barkley had in their win over Iowa on Saturday. 211 rushing yards, 94 receiving yards and 53 returning kicks. Barkley can and does do everything and this game wasn’t a fluke of any sorts. Barkley, a running back keep in mind, leads the Big Ten in receptions, receiving yards and is second in rushing yards behind only Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins. The Hoosiers had success slowing down the most recent Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week last year though. Despite scoring two touchdowns, Barkley ran for just 58 yards on 33 carries. It will be difficult for Indiana to replicate that effort, but the Hoosiers need to find a way to slow down Barkley if they have any chance. Much easier said than done.
+22 - Indiana has gotten off to good starts, outscoring their opponents 22-0 in the first quarter. The catch is Penn State has yet to be given up a single first quarter point this season. Indiana can’t afford to get behind especially on the road. Being able to break Penn State’s streak and put points on the board early will be vital for IU.
21/4 - Penn State was dominant through their non-conference schedule before a gritty win at Iowa in their Big Ten opener. Penn State has scored 21 touchdowns so far this season and have given up just four. Not to mention they’re 16 for 18 on scoring opportunities in the red zone. If IU doesn’t play up to par, between their dynamic offense and plus-six turnover margin, James Franklin’s club can make things ugly in a hurry.